Condos in Madeira Beach.
Octavio Jones/Getty ImagesIt's nice living in Florida to not have to pay a state income tax. But those savings become a distant memory when we pay for car and home insurance. And home insurance rates are about to skyrocket, according to a new story out this week from WUSF.
They say according to the Insurance Information Institute, Florida homeowners can expect to see another jump of up to 40 PERCENT on home insurance rates this year. How does that compare nationally? They say the average Florida homeowner pays about $4,200 a year for home owners insurance. The rest of the country? $1,544!
So what's causing that enormous gap? 2 big culprits are Hurricane Ian and a lack of competition. Insurers keep leaving Florida because there's so much risk. And let's not forget those roofing scams because that's certain a factor too. They say Pinellas County in particular is getting hit the hardest here in the Tampa area. [Source: WUSF]
Our friends to the south are still reeling from the direct hit by Hurricane Ian. Here are some of the scenes from the ground. Our station is part of the Beasley Media Group. We sent broadcast equipment to our affiliate stations in Fort Myers to help those without power and cell service to get updates on where to find food and help. If you'd like to offer your support, money is being raised for the American Red Cross relief efforts at bbgi.com/donate.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)Whitney Hall waves to a friend from the remains of his home while waving the American flag amidst wreckage left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on the island of Matlacha.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)James Pironti washes off the muddy money he recovered from his bedroom in Fort Myers.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)A storm damaged Bentley rests against a tree in Bonita Springs, Florida.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)A fish lays on the road after Hurricane Ian passed through the area in Fort Myers.
Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesWheels peek out of the water in Fort Myers Beach.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)Sanibel Island, Florida.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Members of the Indiana Task Force 1 Search and Rescue team look for anyone needing help in Fort Myers.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)A resident of a neighborhood flooded by the rising Myakka River carries her dog after being evacuated in North Port.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Dan Beazley rolls a cross through an area where homes were destroyed in Fort Myers. Mr. Beazley said he brought the cross with him to help hurricane victims with healing and love.
Sean Rayford/Getty ImagesPeople talk near boats resting on a sidewalk Saturday in Bonita Springs, Florida.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)The wait in line for gas Saturday in Bonita Springs, Florida.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)A resident paddling a kayak returns to his home with supplies in a neighborhood flooded by a rising Myakka River in North Port, Florida.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)A storm damaged residence in the wake of Hurricane Ian on Sanibel Island, Florida. Known for rescues in Afghanistan and Ukraine, the Project DYNAMO team was unable to make contact with the person they were searching for.
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)Bryan Stern, right, Dean Calderone, and Alexander Toal, left, of the Project DYNAMO rescue organization, look into a garage on Sanibel Island.
